apartment service

[jetlag]

I have a customer buying an 88 unit apartment which he wishes to change to total electric, at present it has natural gas also. I wont be able to see the location untill tomorrow but would like some information on the best way to provide the meter and out side disconnects. If I understand the code correctly there can only be 6 seperate disconnects per bldg. He said some of the building have 8 units . How is the best way to handle this ,I know there will have to be a main that disconnects several , if not all of the 200a disc, that will go to each unit. The county does require outside disc to each unit.

 

[brantmacga]

The county does require outside disc to each unit.

Did they provide an amendment to the six-handle rule?


Are these 100A services to each unit? Maybe a 200A disconnect serving multiple 100A disconnects inside of a cabinet.

 

[Sonny Boy]

Why?

Why?

I have a customer buying an 88 unit apartment which he wishes to change to total electric, at present it has natural gas also.

Did he do a cost benefit plan to see if natural gas is cheaper than electric? Electricity is more expensive than natural gas where I live.

 

[jetlag]

Did they provide an amendment to the six-handle rule?


Are these 100A services to each unit? Maybe a 200A disconnect serving multiple 100A disconnects inside of a cabinet.

I wont know answer until tomorrow. Its possible that if they are 100 a it might be enough for total electric and wont have to change the service, but if have to change, the owner wants 200a each

 

[jetlag]

Did he do a cost benefit plan to see if natural gas is cheaper than electric? Electricity is more expensive than natural gas where I live.

the owner said the natural gas is all on one meter , not sure if he meant for each bldg or entire complex and he wants tenants to pay utilities. He also doesnt like gas and there are plenty of people that dont

 

[JohnJ0906]

He also doesnt like gas and there are plenty of people that dont

I detest cooking on an electric range or cooktop.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Jetlag
where are you from/working? Have you discussed this with the local AHJ?

 

[jetlag]

Jetlag
where are you from/working? Have you discussed this with the local AHJ?

im going to do that today but i thought surely someone would give me some feedback on how they meter mulifamily dwellings

 

[pete m.]

im going to do that today but i thought surely someone would give me some feedback on how they meter mulifamily dwellings

You have a myriad of options that starts in 230.2. What I typically see on larger apartment buildings is a single main on a meter center and then feeders ran to each apartment.

Pete

 

[480sparky]

im going to do that today but i thought surely someone would give me some feedback on how they meter mulifamily dwellings

You would meter is just like any other multi-family dwelling. Meter stacks, most likely.

But I don't think the new owners have any clue what's involved here. You will most likely need to replace the entire electrical distribution system. If there's 8 units, you'll need a main disconnect. You'll likely need a 9-meter stack since you'll need a 'house' panel as well. You will also need to add new circuits in each apartmenr for all the appliances that are currently gas.

Your local AHJ may have rules concerning what you must do when you install a new service. You may need to update the branch circuit wiring in each unit to current codes. If the complex is over 15 or 20 years old, this can be quite extensive.... 2 20a kitchen, 20a bath, GFIs, AFCIs.....

Compound all this with the possibility that you may need to do all this while the units are occupied, and you have a very expensive proposition. Not saying it can't be done, but it ain't gonna be cheap or easy.